Slavior

Mark Zonder made a name for himself in the metal world while drumming
for two outstanding bands,
Warlord
and
Fates Warning.
He departed the latter band after some 15 years, desiring to do his own
thing, and the result is Slavior.
He recruited vocalist Greg Analla from the band Tribe Of Gypsies and
touring
Michael Schenker Group
guitarist Wayne Findlay and set about recording a debut album, which was
released in 2007.
Throw out any comparisons with Zonder's past right now, since
Slavior is not an epic or progressive metal album (though there
are progressive elements here).
What is on offer here is experimental, well-crafted heavy alternative
metal, with a host of outside influences (check out the reggae infusion
in "Dove" or the funkiness of "Give It Up", as two examples).
All three of the major players shine here, from Analla's soulful hard
rock vocals (at times reminiscient of
Deadsoul Tribe's
Devon Graves)
to Findlay's inventive riffing to (naturally) Zonder's
intricate yet always tasteful drumming.
There's enough musical talent here that this could have devolved into
a tech-fest, but it doesn't happen -- this is inventive and unique
hard rock.
Interesting stuff.